Evolution of the Skill India Initiatives

Recognizing the limitations of the traditional education system in equipping Indian youth with job-ready skills, the government embarked on a skill development initiative in 2009 under the National Policy on Skill Development (NPSD), 2009. It included provisions for periodic reviews every five years to ensure that the policy framework remains in line with the evolving trends at the national and international levels. This initiative gained momentum with the launch of the National Skill India Mission in 2015, which aimed to address the fragmented approach of previous skill development programs. The renewed Skill India Initiative introduced a comprehensive framework to enhance skill development accompanied by the implementation of the National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015.

Objectives of National Policy on Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, 2015

1. The National Skill Development Policy aims to empower individuals by enabling lifelong learning and competency accumulation.
2. It seeks to make vocational training aspirational for youth and emphasize the productivity of a skilled workforce for employers.
3. The policy focuses on integrating skill training with formal education, ensuring quality outcomes that enhance employability and productivity.
4. It prioritizes the expansion of training infrastructure and trainers, aligning skill supply with industry needs, and implementing an information system for matching supply and demand.
5. The policy promotes national standards, quality assurance, and leveraging technology for scalability and accessibility.
6. It emphasizes on-the-job training and addresses the skill development needs of disadvantaged groups.
7. It also encourages women’s participation in the workforce and emphasizes stakeholder commitment and coordination for effective implementation.

Skill India Mission

The Skill India Mission is a flagship program implemented by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) with the aim of empowering the country’s youth by providing them with skills and training to enhance their employability. The Mission has a central body to oversee its objectives which consists of a Governing Council, a Steering Committee, and a Mission Directorate. The Mission Directorate is backed by three additional institutions. The National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) concentrates on ensuring quality and conducting policy research in the field of skills. The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) is a public-private partnership (PPP) organisation responsible for enhancing capacity and providing support to private training partners. The Directorate General of Training (DGT) is entrusted with the implementation of training and apprenticeship programs.

Initiatives under the Skill India Mission

The Skill India Mission comprises several key components that address different skill development aspects.

1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is one of the flagship programs under this initiative, which provides short-term skill training and certification to youth across various sectors through vocational training centres like ITIs. Under this scheme, the government covers the entire cost of training and assessment fees. The aim is to make skill development accessible and affordable for a large number of Indian youths across various socio-economic backgrounds.

Sector Skill Councils (SSC) are autonomous industry-led bodies established by NSDC. These councils play a crucial role in developing occupational standards, qualification bodies, and competency frameworks. They conduct various programs such as Train the Trainer Programs, skill gap studies, and assessments to certify trainees. Currently, there are 37 operational Sector Skill Councils, each governed by a Governing Council consisting of over 600 corporate representatives.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is one of the key components of PMKVY that allows individuals with prior learning experience or skills to undergo an assessment and receive certification for their existing knowledge and competencies. This helps in recognizing and giving value to the skills individuals have acquired through informal means or on-the-job training.

National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF) is a system that categorizes qualifications based on levels of skills and knowledge. It is managed by the National Skill Development Agency (NSDA) and implemented through the National Skills Qualifications Committee (NSQC). The NSQC approves National Occupational Standards (NOSs) and Qualification Packs (QPs), sets accreditation norms, addresses the needs of disadvantaged groups, resolves disputes, and aligns NSQF with international qualification frameworks. NSQF ensures quality assurance in skill development. Similar qualification frameworks are being adopted by many countries worldwide. NSQF facilitates global mobility and provides progression pathways to the Indian workforce.

2. UDAAN is a special initiative designed for Jammu & Kashmir, implemented through a partnership between Indian corporates, the Ministry of Home Affairs, and NSDC. The program’s objective is to provide skills training and improve the employability of unemployed youth in the region. UDAAN has two main goals: exposing unemployed graduates to the best of Corporate India and providing Corporate India with access to the talented pool of individuals in the state.

3. Skills Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) SANKALP is a scheme supported by a World Bank loan, with the current agreement between the Government of India and the World Bank amounting to Rs. 1650 Crore. The disbursement of funds from the World Bank to the Government of India is based on the fulfilment of agreed Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs). The objective of SANKALP includes strengthening institutional mechanisms at the national and state levels, developing a skilled pool of trainers and assessors, and providing skill training opportunities to disadvantaged sections of society.

Impacts and Achievements of the Skill India Mission

1. According to the NSDC’s annual report 2019-20, 2.5 Crore individuals received skill training during 2009-2020 through training under NSDC partnerships, certification under PMKVY and training under Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK) established in every district of the country.
2. The latest data on the PMKVY website shows that so far 1.37 Crore candidates have been trained and more than 1.1 Crore candidates have been certified under the program.
3. Currently, PMKVY 4.0, the 4th edition of the program is running in the country. As per the latest information available on the MSDE’s website, Pradhan Mantri National Apprenticeship Melas (PMNAM) are being organised starting this year from the month of May in many districts with the aim to present the local youths with diverse apprenticeship training opportunities offered by local businesses and organizations.
4. Approval has been granted to 116 Government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) to offer courses on operating drones, utilizing modern technology, to enhance the capabilities of these training centres.
5. To promote participation in short-term training programs in the Northeastern states and Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) affected areas, candidates were provided with 100% boarding and lodging facilities. Leading academic institutions and universities were enlisted to organize skill development programs in these regions.
6. MSDE in collaboration with NSDC, DGT, and other implementing organizations, has been working in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to enable the deployment of skilled Indian workers abroad. So far G2G and B2B MoUs/Agreements with more than 11 countries such as Australia, Belarus, China, and Japan have been signed in this regard.
7. India achieved the 11th position in the WorldSkills Competition 2022 (WSC 2022), an improvement from its 13th position in 2019. This achievement highlights the increased awareness among youth, trainers, and other stakeholders in the skill ecosystem regarding participation and developing a passion for skills and striving for excellence through such competitions.
8. The Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship has implemented specialized skill development initiatives in collaboration with the Armed Forces, including the Navy, Army, Air Force, and CRPF jawans.

Challenges in the Skill Development Landscape

1. Social and traditional biases: The perception that working with one’s hands is inferior hinders the acceptance and promotion of skill-based work. Such biases, stemming from historical norms and societal behaviour, need to be addressed in order to create a more inclusive environment for skill development.
2. Lack of economic incentives: Many industries, particularly micro, small, and medium enterprises, tend to treat skilled and unskilled workers equally, disregarding the value of skill development. This diminishes the economic incentive for individuals to acquire and showcase their skills.
3. A mismatch between training and industry requirements: Vocational training programs often fail to align with the specific needs of industries. This results in a paradoxical situation where unemployment persists alongside a shortage of skilled workers for essential tasks such as infrastructure development, manufacturing, and other industries.
4. Limitations of grant-based free training programs: While grant-based free training programs are necessary, they have limitations in terms of quality and employability. Students may not value the training if it is provided for free, and training providers may prioritize quantity over quality. It is crucial to link employability and focus on the quality of training while providing financial support.
5. Shortage of qualified trainers: The availability of skilled trainers is a significant concern. There is a lack of emphasis on developing trainer training programs and defining career progression pathways for trainers, leading to a shortage of qualified professionals in the field.

Criticism of the Skill India Initiative

Criticism of the Skill India Initiative mainly revolves around the effectiveness of skill training programs and the need for continuous evaluation and impact assessment. It is crucial to assess the outcomes and impact of the training provided to ensure that the skills acquired are translating into meaningful employment opportunities. Regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms need to be in place to identify gaps and areas for improvement.

The successful implementation of the Skill India Initiative requires addressing the challenges of program execution, ensuring adequate infrastructure, and scaling up the training programs to reach a larger section of the population.